So I am part of a team of guy who compete in SQ competitions. One of my team members wants to build a carputer.. I have no backgroudn on this so please someone give me advice on a build that has some power and plenty of storage as well as being compact and runnign off 12V!
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Carputer build advice!
- Thread starter Copyright
- Start date
What does it need to do? If just running media and movies, how about a tablet? A difficult to find and expensive part of a carputer is the screen. Tablets effectively "fixes" that issue. Asus just launched the MeMO Pad which is a 7" Android tablet that is a 1GHz single core with 1024x600 screen. It doesn't sound super impressive, but MSRP will be $149 and it will support a micro SD card which something like the better (and more expensive) Nexus 7 does not. Thus, you can slap in a 64GB micro SDHC card for, what, $30? That's a lot of MP3s. You can get creative in mounting it in the dash.
Phuncz
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Most important factors are rarely taken into account with carputers:
- humidity & moisture
- temperature (cold & warm)
- power fluctations
- vibrations
But the largest issue of all is the one of software: finding an OS or software that is reliable, boots very fast and is capable of your desired features (like touchscreen, FLAC
If you've carefully considered and evaluated all those issues (for your country/state if applicable) and have checked that the PC hardware can handle those specs, you might want to just check for a system like the Asus C8HM70-I/HDMI (needs SO-DIMM RAM !), Streacom FC8 Evo (passive enclosure), combined with an SSD with super-caps (you want this) like the Crucial M500 SSD, picoPSU M3-ATX and a decent soundcard like the Asus Xonar DX (low profile, PCI-e).
- humidity & moisture
- temperature (cold & warm)
- power fluctations
- vibrations
But the largest issue of all is the one of software: finding an OS or software that is reliable, boots very fast and is capable of your desired features (like touchscreen, FLAC
If you've carefully considered and evaluated all those issues (for your country/state if applicable) and have checked that the PC hardware can handle those specs, you might want to just check for a system like the Asus C8HM70-I/HDMI (needs SO-DIMM RAM !), Streacom FC8 Evo (passive enclosure), combined with an SSD with super-caps (you want this) like the Crucial M500 SSD, picoPSU M3-ATX and a decent soundcard like the Asus Xonar DX (low profile, PCI-e).
Unless you have very specific reasons to use a carputer over a tablet, I wouldn't bother. You'll end up spending way more money, and still have hobbled functionality compared to a tablet. You're not going to get the superior resolutions, better touchscreens, or the apps specifically designed for touch. I'm going on 2 years with an Android tablet install in my Wrangler, and am just about finished with a new install in my Grand Cherokee. At this point I can't imagine using anything else.
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Wow -- nice tablet setup -- any build / howto / gallery links?
I need power.. this guy wants to run itunes and some other things if possible. Keep in mind he has a 10K$ stereo system and runs Pro Audio parts converted to 12V. He plans on using some sort of USB DAC and preamp and feed into his RANE RPM88. I know he wants more than just a tablet. Everything he will be playing will be high quality media. I was thinking a mini itx setup with an i3 and of course an SSD. He also has a portable 2.5" HD he plans on using for music etc. Not to worried about temp and humidity in his ride. His high end audio equipment never skips a beat and was not built to be ran in an FJ Cruiser.
EDIT: I meant to say thanks for all the replys so far!
EDIT: I meant to say thanks for all the replys so far!
Phuncz
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I do not recommend HDD's in a car unless it is strictly necessary, but it shouldn't be with SSD's being more affordable each day. The system I showed you should be able to handle iTunes on a Windows 7 install without a problem. Maybe it could be upgraded to an Intel i3 platform for much more performance but since it's only for one application it should not be needed.
The only problem is that iTunes is NOT meant to be played on a small screen. The smallest you can make an iTunes 11 screen is 842x550 pixels and that's really too small for the entire interface. Meaning that you'll need a screen that's atleast 1024x768 and preferably as the REAL resolution, not the "supported input" like this one, which has native 800x480 but accepts and resizes up to 1024x768 which will look afwul.
This is what iTunes 11 looks at that resolution with an album selected:
A good screen would be this one: http://www.short-circuit.com/product/faytech-10.html
It has VGA + HDMI (same as the Asus motherboard), has 1024x768 native resolution (input up to 1080p) and is 10" which seems like the right size.
If you'd like to compare, the iPad 1 and 2 both have the same resolution and size screen (maybe 0.4" off, don't know).
It has a USB for touch screen input and Windows 7/8 support including Mac and Linux even. Also accepts 12-36V which is another important one.
Although a USB DAC can be an option, it's not easy to find one that is not ridiculously overpriced if you want something decent or that it needs a wall plug. If you are going with an mITX system, go for a low profile soundcard like the one I linked in my post. It is of a much higher sound quality than many USB DACs which go for much much higher prices. And you don't have hardware dangling and rattling about.
BTW, Copyright: when I mentioned temperatures, I meant not when the car is running, but also when it's parked outside for instance. I say this because freezing temperatures or moisture and hardware are a bad combination.
The only problem is that iTunes is NOT meant to be played on a small screen. The smallest you can make an iTunes 11 screen is 842x550 pixels and that's really too small for the entire interface. Meaning that you'll need a screen that's atleast 1024x768 and preferably as the REAL resolution, not the "supported input" like this one, which has native 800x480 but accepts and resizes up to 1024x768 which will look afwul.
This is what iTunes 11 looks at that resolution with an album selected:
A good screen would be this one: http://www.short-circuit.com/product/faytech-10.html
It has VGA + HDMI (same as the Asus motherboard), has 1024x768 native resolution (input up to 1080p) and is 10" which seems like the right size.
If you'd like to compare, the iPad 1 and 2 both have the same resolution and size screen (maybe 0.4" off, don't know).
It has a USB for touch screen input and Windows 7/8 support including Mac and Linux even. Also accepts 12-36V which is another important one.
Although a USB DAC can be an option, it's not easy to find one that is not ridiculously overpriced if you want something decent or that it needs a wall plug. If you are going with an mITX system, go for a low profile soundcard like the one I linked in my post. It is of a much higher sound quality than many USB DACs which go for much much higher prices. And you don't have hardware dangling and rattling about.
BTW, Copyright: when I mentioned temperatures, I meant not when the car is running, but also when it's parked outside for instance. I say this because freezing temperatures or moisture and hardware are a bad combination.
Thank you. There is a thread on the Wrangler install at XDA, but I don't have one for the Grand Cherokee yet. I'll get one up soon.
Okay, so if he has money to burn, I still wouldn't go with a carputer. I'd use a Surface Pro. You can still use all sorts of USB peripherals including a USB DAC. You'll get a nicer screen and touch interface than with any other LCD option.